Final answer:
People give meaning to marriage and family according to the symbolic interaction framework primarily through negotiated meanings in personal interactions. While cultural norms, religious beliefs, and legal definitions are influential, symbolic interactionism focuses on personal interactions as the key to understanding how these concepts are defined and practiced.
Step-by-step explanation:
In dating, according to the symbolic interaction framework, people give various meanings to marriage and family through negotiated meanings in personal interactions (b). Symbolic interactionism posits that individuals construct the meanings and definitions of relationships through interpersonal interaction and communication. Hence, while shared cultural norms and values, religious beliefs and rituals, and legal and institutional definitions also play a role, they are not the primary means within symbolic interactionism through which marriage and family are defined.
Marriage and family are viewed as societal institutions that are subject to change and interpretation based on cultural and social dynamics. For instance, the concept of marriage varies from being a legally recognized social contract to differing forms that might not require legal recognition, such as common-law marriage. Similarly, family structures can range from traditional nuclear families to more modern configurations such as single-parent or same-sex parent households.
The process of negotiating meaning in personal interactions allows individuals to find a personalized understanding that resonates with their experiences, leading to a diverse array of definitions and practices surrounding marriage and family. This diversity reflects the evolution of societal norms and the adaptation to social change.